
# ^ # 

^UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.^ 



x^^ 



THOUGHTS OF HEAVEN. 



BY 



HARRIET MALLARD. 



" In my Father's house are many mansions : if it were not so, I would 
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

" And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and 
receive you unto w^yself ; that where I am, there ye may he also." 






'^■^ of V/a4V\\<N^° 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by Haeriet Mallard, in the 
Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District 
of New York. 



Saker ^ Godwin, Pnntera, No. 1 Spruce St., iV. T. 



T6 Si"^ , 



THOUGHTS OF HEAYEN. 



CHAPTER I. 

SCRIPTURAL TESTIMONY. 

Thej asked us where was heaven — 

Where we had hoped ere long 
Our freedom would be given 

To join the blissful throng — 
Asked what and where was heaven, 

With its many mansions bright, 
Which we had trustful striven 

Bj faith to hold in sight ? 

They asked if e'er heaven's portals 

Had lent the faintest view, 
And when the gaze of mortals 

Had pierced the curtains through 
That hid and would forever 

That wondrous world so bland ? 
And the skeptic told us never 

Should we behold that land. 

Then we said to the graceless scoffer, 

Beware ! no longer spurn 
Of life divine the offer. 

O turn (and thou may'st learn) 
To the word revealed, most holy — 

To that lamp of saving light ! 
For all in heart that's lowly 

There's eye-salve for the sight. 



SCEIPTUKAL TESTIMONY. 



The scales that long hath hidden 

Truth's melting rays from thee. 
By grace shall then be bidden 

To fall, and thou wilt see. 
Within thy heart — thy spirit — 

Heaven it will be revealed, 
And hope — blest hope — inherit 

What to thy soul is sealed. 



Belief with rapture dwelleth 

On each illumined line 
Inspired — the way that telleth 

Where truthful search may find 
The Christ, the Lord's anointed ; 

Of Him they testify. 
The Lamb of God appointed, 

That brings salvation nigh. 



Ask such of heaven who bendeth 

The cross to take — to bear — 
And ever upward sendeth 

With single heart the prayer — 
Ask such ; they will be telling, 

'Mid all this scene of strife, 
Within their breast there's welling 

A spring of heaven — of life. 



A GLOEIOIJS DESTINY. 



Enough to know of heaven 

'Tis the high and holy place 
Where the Universal Architect 

He vaileth not his face — 
The Lord our God and Father, 

Whose name as Lo'oe is known- 
To know we're bidden welcome 

To see his mighty throne. 



O mystery — deep, deep mystery — 

What destiny is thine ! 
Poor weak, frail, fallen sinner 

(Alone by grace divine), 
If but to own the scepter 

Of Jesus thou hast kneeled. 
Thy passport to all blessedness 

By heaven's own hand is sealed. 



All, all that through eternity's 

Uncomprehensive round 
The love of vast infinitude 

Shall give for to abound — 
God, heaven and saints and angels. 

Thy ministers to be — 
May faith, that gift of mercy, 

Be now vouchsafed to thee. 



THE EXILE OF PATMOS. 



The Exile of Patmos, 

A stranger and lone,. 
That hatred for Jesus 

Had banished— had driven— 
Had visions of God, 

Of his kingdom, his throne, 
And in spirit was called 

To the presence of heaven. 



He heard the new song 

Of redemption there swelling. 
The glorified Saviour 

To praise and adore, 
By thousands of thousands 

Of voices loud telling 
That blessing and honor 

Are his evermore. 



When Stephen, proto-martyf. 

He was about to die. 
Within the vail of heaven 

Was fixed his mortal eye ; 
With more than earthly splendor 

His saintly face it shone. 
While he steadfast gazed on Jesus 

Exalted to the throne. 



6 WITH CHKIST IN PARADISE. 



When the expiring criminal 

To be remembered cried, 
The Saviour all compassionate 

Most graciously replied : 
" To-day with me in heaven — 

Yes, verily, with me, 
Thou now repentant spirit 

In Paradise shall be." 



An exceeding weight of glory 

Awaiteth all the just, 
The humble, pure and penitent. 

Though weak in faith and trust ; 
The faintest prayer that struggles — 

That abba father cries — 
It findeth there acceptance 

Within the listening skies. 



Where God — the great eternal — 

Hath set his name — his throne — 
Within the highest heaven, 

Such names are all unknown 
As sorrow, sin and evil. 

And death and grief and pain, 
For there a healthful river 

O'erflows entire the plain. 



EEST FOR THE WEARY. 



That river, crystal river, 

Of life, of bliss, is known 
For evermore proceeding 

From the eternal throne ; 
And they'll thirst not there forever, 

For the fount shall never dry ; 
And love divine permitteth 

I^ot there one tearful eye. 



There's rest there for the weary 

And they hunger there no more ; 
For a tree with fruits celestial 

Grows on the blissful shore. 
There by the living water 

Of life's o'erflowing flood ; 
And want and care and sorrow 

Its banks have never trod. 



The garments of salvation 

Enrobe the ransomed throng. 
While harps of gold, of triumph. 

Thrill with unceasing song ; 
They weary, no, not ever, 

With heaven's ecstatic lays — 
"With evergrowing wonder 

They sing the Saviour's praise. 



A NEW JOY IN PARADISE. 



In Heaven, a noble company 

Of Martyrs they adore 
The Lord, the great Redeemer, 

And east their crowns before 
The throne ; while alleluiahs, 

In loud unwavering strains, 
Give honor, thanks and glory 

To him who lives and reigns. 



Night Cometh not to curtain 

The beatific place ; 
The light of life eternal 

Beams from the loving face 
Of Jesus, now the glorified. 

Once crucified and slain ; 
His smile illumeth heaven 

The vast unmeasured plain. 



One joy was new in heaven. 

When sighs repentant first 
From woimded hearts and broken 

They humbly contrite burst ; 
Angels for higher rapture 

They tune anew their lyres 
If but one sorrowing sinner 

For the upward path inquires. 



THE BIRTH OF MEKCY. 9 



"No storm-cloud ever gathers 

In these pellucid skies ; 
"No mists or sickly vapors 

Are ever there to rise ; 
The denizens of heaven, 

They find its atmosphere, 
For the ransomed souls inhaling, 

Divinely pure and clear. 



In heaven's most blessed bower 

Sweet Mercy had her birth 
"When sin with deadly foot-steps 

Profaned this Eden Earth ; 
There Love, her smiling sister, 

She clasped her gentle hand, 
And saw her banner waving 

On this polluted strand. 



They're garnered safe in heaven- 

The treasures which the saint. 
The poor way-faring pilgrim, 

The sad, the weak, the faint, 
Have there laid up in deference 

To the most holy word, — 
He hath them all in keeping — 

Their Father, King and Lord. 



10 MINISTRY OF ANGELS. 

•Angels they come to minister * 

To every trustful heir 
Of faith and of salvation ; 

To guard with kindly care 
His walks, his homeward jourrtey 

All through the thorny ground, 
Until the New Jerusalem 

Its golden gates are found. 



CHAPTER II. 

OUR ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER. 

Our great High Priest and Advocate 

He entered heaven to plead, 
Present with God the Father 

He lives to intercede ; 
His heart of tend'rest sympathy 

Is touched for mortal grief, 
And his boundless store is open 

When faith she asks relief. 

Here known a man of sorrow. 

The holy son of God 
The path of sore temptation 

His sacred feet they trod. 
Cold mountain damps at evening 

They witnessed to his prayer, 
And night her lengthy watches 

They found him kneeling there. 



RECEPTION OF ABEL. 11 



His ejes of loving-kindness 

In tend' rest pity wept, 
He soothed the stricken mourners 

Where a blighted brother slept. 
There are no tears in heaven 

"Where now he reigns in power, 
But he sees and heeds the anguish 

Ofi our most darksome hour. 



In heaven's melodious orchestry 

A song unique was given, 
In strains of love, of harmony. 

To greet the new arriven. 
When martyred righteous Abel, 

Yictim of hate and strife. 
Through him he early typefied 

He entered into life. 



The Lamb from the foundation 

For sin atonement slain. 
His sacrificial tokens 

Were never brought in vain ; 
And when before the altar 

Where flowed the typic stream. 
The watchful, prayerful, faithful. 

Found saving light to beam ; 



12 CONGREGATION OF THE REDEEMED. 



Justice divine and mercy 

Beheld the sacred rock 
Where first the heaven attracted 

The firstling of his flock, 
Laid with the heart, the spirit — 

Most welcome to the sight 
Of Him whose fire descended 

The pile to claim — to light. 



The righteous of all ages 

They congregate in heaven ; 
Prophets and kings and captives. 

The poor, the anguish-riven, 
The honored and the lowly, 

The bondman and the free — 
They feast upon the fruitage 

Of life's immortal tree. 



They'll go no more forever 

Out from the heavenlv rest ; 
With God's immortal fullness 

They're filled and saved and blest. 
From glory unto glory 

Is now their only change. 
And the blissful fields of paradise 

Eternally they'll range. 



MORTALITY SWALLOWED UP OF LIFE. 13 



There, verilj, mortality 

Is swallowed up of life ; 
The soul, unclothed and stainless 

From garb of earthly strife. 
Puts on the saint's new costume — 

The righteous robe that's given 
Of Christ, and wrought completely 

To clothe his own for heaven. 



Love hath prepared a banquet 

Where every welcomed guest 
In her heaven-chosen livery , 

They are adorned and dressed ; 
He evermore presideth — 

Our Saviour, King and Lord — 
At the feast, the marriage supper. 

His own self-plenished board. 



The new wine of the kingdom. 
From bowls of God's design, 



Filled unto overflowing 

From heaven's immortal vine, 5 
They drink — and drink unthirsting — 

And ask not for supplies ; 
For the vintage faileth never 

Within those upper skies. 



14 SAFELY ANCHOEED. 



Tlie palm-brancli there of victory 

Trium pli an t — ever-green — - 
That speaks of perfect conquest 

O'er sin and death, is seen 
Waving in confirmation 

From every victor's hand. 
And the olive withers never 

In heavenly Canaan's land. 



The tempest-tossed sad mariner 

Of life's perturbed main, 
The niglit-watch cry of breakers 

Shall never hear again ; 
'No wave or angry billow 

His trembling bark assail. 
For he's moor'd — he's safely anchored- 

Where storms they ne'er prevail. 



That safe — that blissful harbor — 

That calm untroubled sea — 
To every weary voyager 

Is free — divinely free ; 
And from the sheltered haven 

The life-boat greets the view 
Of all that looketh God-ward 

When dark waters struggling through. 



SCEIPTUEE WORTHIES. 15 



From every tribe and kingdom 

These heavenly worthies came, 
Led safely through the wilderness, 

They conquered in the name 
Of the Captain of salvation — 

Great Prince of peace — and now 
A never-fading diadem 

Adorns each joyful brow. 



CHAPTER in. 

THE SCRIPTURE WORTHIES. 

The Apostolic company 

In heaven their seats were shown 
In beatific nearness 

To the Eternal Throne. 
The walls of I^ew Jerusalem, 

Where precious stones abound, 
Within their twelve foundations 

These chosen names are found : 

There Matthew, James and Andrew, 

Philip and John, beloved, 
Thomas, and son of Alpheus, 

These called and blest — approved ; 
Saint Simon and Bartholomew, 

And Peter, named a rock; 
There Thaddeus and Matthias, 

Ordained to feed the flock ; 



16 SORIPTUEE WORTHIES. 



Moses and Job and Joshua, 

With the Hebrew children three, 
"Who at a monarch's bidding 

Bowed not nor bent the knee ; 
That Shadrach and Abednego 

And Meshech — they who trod 
The burning, fiery furnace. 

Led by the Son of God ; 



Daniel — the much beloved — 

Whose heaven-directed prayer 
At eve, at morn, and mid-day, 

Through Chaldea's heathen air. 
As a cloud of holy incense 

To the mighty God arose. 
Fearless of death and danger. 

Menaced by envious foes ; 



Samuel, Abraham, and ISToah — 

Each a host of righteousness — 
Called of God, in service valiant. 

Heights in glory they possess ; 
Heaven — its word — was found efficient 

For their trust, their guide, their stay ; 
Faith — her lamp, her hand — was equal 

To begild and lead the way. 



SCRIPTrEE WORTHIES. 17 



The princely l^ehemiah, 

Whose pure and noble breast 
For desolated Zion 

A¥as deeply, sorely pressed ; 
Grieved for his kindred people, 

Afflicted, lowly bowed. 
While foes their exultations 

Were haughty bold and loud ; 



The walls of Babylonia 

They witnessed to his tears ; 
From weary, watchful fasting, 

(While hope conflicts with fears) 
To the royal hand with trembling 

The kingly cup he gave. 
As he breathed his supplication 

To God the strong to save. 



Speedily to his petition 

Heaven respondeth — and with care 
Babylon her king, his treasure 

Proffers to his servant there ; — 
Jerusalem, that sat lamenting. 

Tearful, low upon the ground, 
Kiseth now from out her ruins. 

Prayer the timely hand hath found. 



18 SCKIPTURE WORTHIES. 



That man of faith, Elijah, 

He hath a mansion there ; 
And the lone one of Zarephath, 

Who dressed with trust and care 
Once for the fainting stranger 

Her last remain of bread, 
When hope, and life, and joy, 

Had all but gone and iied ; 



Famine, with meagre visage, 

In her abode was seen — 
The fields, with smiling harvest. 

They are no longer sheen ; 
The wells, alas ! are failing. 

The fountain-springs are dry ; 
Despairing for the morrow, 

She's at the point to die ; 



The Infinite Compassionate 

His word then magnified — 
With flowing cruse unfailing 

This hostess is supplied ; — 
She finds her store replenished, 

Her daily board is spread. 
Shared with the aged seer — 

And want her door hath fled. 



SCRIPTURE WORTHIES. 19 



And there a goodly number 

By sovereign grace reserved, 
Whose knee bent not to Baal, 

The heathen god they served — 
They of the house of Israel, 

Lured by the snare, the guise. 
Of the sprite of dark idolatry — 

The }3rince of death, of lies. 



Jacob, and Ilezekiah, 

And Esther will be there, 
Who moved the arm Omnipotent 

By ardent, wrestling prayer ; 
"When hosts of death and danger 

They stood revealed to view. 
To the seat of sovereign mercy 

With trembling haste they flew. 



Jacob, the care-worn Patriarch, 

By Heaven's supreme command. 
Is on his homeward journey 

To his loved, his Fatherland, 
When lo ! with war-like bearing, 

A threat'ning band appears. 
Led by fraternal hatred. 

The garnered wrath of years. 



20 SCRIPTURE WORTHIES. 



Darkness, with sable curtain, 

Hath vailed the midnight sky- 
The earth, in silent apathj, 

Reveals no helper nigh ; 
Left with his faith, his fears, 

And with his God alone. 
He tests, with ardent struggling, 

The promise of the Throne. 



Truth, with her memorial tablet. 

Comes at morn's first breaking hour, 
Record makes for all the fearful 

Of the prevalence and power 
Of faith and prayer. 

When the suppliant soul on high, 
With the heart entire and spirit, 

Sends the eager, trustful cry. 

Blessed of God — surnamed of Heaven 

Israel — he'll yield to fear 
]^ot if on the dreaded morrow 

Strife and war they venture near. 
Blessed of God ! a brother's tears 

Mingled with the drops he shed ; 
Tenderness and kind embraces 

Told that all but love had fled. 



SCRIPTURE WORTHIES. 21 



The haughty Syrian tyrant, 

Blasphemous, proud, and bold, 
That many lands and nations 

His sword had long controlled ; 
The Lord — Lord God omnipotent. 

Ruler of earth and skies. 
The God of Hezeldah — 

This idolater defies. 



The impious aggressor 

His banner broad, profane, 
"Waves at the very threshold ; 

To-morrow he may stain 
(Unbid of Heaven) the hearth-stone. 

The altar and the ground. 
Oh, the bitter cup of trembling! 

'Tis passing round and round. 



Sad Judah ! now her nobles 

In sackcloth they appear ; 
Her king, her priests, and princes, 

Their robes have rent ; and Fear, 
Her chilly wand, ungracious. 

On every heart is laid ; 
And the daughters of Jerusalem 

Their seats in dust have made. 



22 SCRIPXrRE WORTHIES. 



Heaven-serving Hezekiah 

To the holv Fane repairs ; 
Before the seat of Mercy 

He spreads the nation's cares. 
With prayer and supplication 

For help divine appeals ; 
And the Infinite — Eternal — 

A timely arm reveals. 



'lis night ; and the invader's 

Battalions are at rest — 
The strength of Great Jehovah 

They're marshalled for to test ; 
Heaven's angel of stern judgment 

The threatening camp swept o'er. 
And the legions of Sennacherib 

They live, they live no more ! 



Esther, her heavenward piety 

And truth, they shone more sheen 
Than that empyreal diadem 

That made her Persia's Queen ; 
As stars amid the darkness 

Of idolatry's thick night, 
They stood unawed, reflecting 

A lucid, saving light. 



SCEIPTUKE WOETHIES. 23 



Daughter of captive Israel, 

She weeps her j^eople's grief ; 
To the Lord — the Lord Jehovah — 

First looketh for relief ; 
Wrath, envj, and idolatry, 

A ruthless, fearful band, 
The life of her loved kindred 

Most madlj thej demand. 



'Tis set, the kinglj signet. 

The Mede and Persian seal, 
Unyielding as the adamant, 

Decreed the Hebrew's weal ; 
The land is filled with mournino". 

The loud, unceasing cry 
Of grief and lamentation, 

It reach eth to the sky. 



Despair, her leaden mantle. 

She comes to fold, to spread 
Around the lonely sorrowing 

That peace and hope hath fled 
Decrees of Medo-Persians, 

By tyranny when given, 
By pity, bribe, or justice. 

Their clasp may not be riven. 



24 SCEIPTURE WORTHIES. 



Esther, as cliose of mercy 
The oppressed now to lead, 

Children and heirs of Abraham 

, She calls with her to plead ; 

With God the covenant keeping, 
Their Father, King, and Friend, 

Her faith took hold on Heaven — 
Heaven did deliverance send. 



Enoch, Joseph, and Josiah, 

Spirits choice when known to earth, 
(Names to live in sacred story. 

Heaven alone may speak their worth) ; 
From these lower vales of evil. 

Death, and sin, and grief, and care, 
These, the Lord, when tried, accepted. 

Welcomed to his presence there. 



Enoch, here of truth begirded, 

Walked with God in holy fear, 
Grace divine forbade the tyrant. 

Death, his form to venture near ; 
Yesterday — to-day — forever, 

Tiie Almighty One the same. 
Looking on his self-found ransom. 

Took him, for his sake, his name. 



SCKIPTFKE WORTHIES. 25 



Joseph, who the bitterest hatred 

Eecompensed with love so pure, 
Met with chaste, unbending virtue, 

Guilty passion's deadly lure ; 
"Who, in Egypt's perjured prison, 

Bore the fetters' stern control. 
Till the crude, the barbed iron. 

Wounded deep his truthful soul. 



Zealous king, the young Josiah, 

Prince of Judah's royal line, 
Deferent to the spirit-teaching 

Of The Book — the law divine — 
Summoned people, priests, and prophets, 

New to covenant with the Lord, 
And to scribe his name to honor, 

Pledge to his commands his word. 



Judgment's righteous sword and scepter, 

When they filled his useful hand. 
Dark idolatry her altars 

Place had not in Judea's land ; 
Institutes, divine and ancient, 

Reassume their justful place ; 
God accepts the free oblations. 

On the nation showers his grace. 



26 SCRIPTURE WORTHIES. 



En OS there with his compeers. 

First assemblage, as we read, 
That upon the Name Eternal 

Called — His grace, His care to plead ; 
These by spirit breath illumined, 

Builded bowers for prayer and praise, 
Now where faith is lost in vision, 

Life and love inspire their lays. 



Saint Paul, the great Apostle, 

His crown is there put on, 
The coronal of victory 

Which valiantly he won ; 
In hope of life eternal 

He watched, and fought, and died, 
"With faith's efficient armor 

Girt by his war-worn side. 



And when the mighty chaii:ipion 

Of the gospel, of the cross. 
Who earth her riches, honors, 

Counted as dust, as dross. 
His mission-course had finished 

(He knew to die were gain). 
Then he joined the martyr army 

On Heaven's triumphant plain. 



SCEIPTUEE WOKTHIES. 27 



There David, the sweet Psalmist, 

Whose harp of thrilling lays, 
It wearied here not ever 

In God's most worthy praise, 
Has joined the raptured choir, 

And there no plaintive line 
Discords the glorious melody, 

Supernal song divine. 



Elizabeth and Hannah, 

And Phoebe will be found 
There with the shining company, 

Where joys supreme abound ; 
Hannah that brought her Samuel, 

Thank-offering lovely, fair, 
And with God the Giver left him, 

To remain forever there. 



Elizabeth, the righteous. 

Whose walk, secure from blame, 
A long enduring halo 

Hath cast around her name ; 
The pen of inspiration. 

On its most holy page. 
Records her high ensample 

For each ensuing age. 



28 SCEIPTTJEE WORTHIES. 



And the venerated Lois, 

Whose faith and love, unfeigned. 
With Eunice and with Timothy, 

Her children, early gained 
Such honorous memorial. 

As pupils who acquired 
The saving scripture knowledge, 

Of the Book of Books inspired. 



With that ancient, honored handmaid 

Of God, that led with song 
The daughters glad of Israel — 

Triumphant, joyful throng ! — 
The long-remembered Miriam, 

The prophetess whose feet 
The hanks of Heaven's deliverance 

Were favored first to greet.. 



With consecrated timbrels 

Heaven's wonders they rehearse. 
Speak forth the glorious praises 

In most exalted verse 
Of the Lord their strength, Redeemer, 

Whose arm was bared to save ; 
That o'er the foes of freedom 

Thus timely sent the wave. 



SCRIPTURE WORTHIES. Q9 



And that queen of song, 

That mother in Israel that rose, 
That Deborah immortal 

Who the defiant foes 
Of her nation, long despondent, 

Led with the trusty sword 
Of the Lord, the great Deliverer — 

His never-failing word. 



Phebe, who the Church Cenchrean 

Served with such untiring care, 
And her board in loving-kindness 

Spread for fainting ones to share ; 
Who with hands of timely succor 

Ready stood to cheer, and blessed 
Such as want or persecution. 

Grief or sorrow, there oppressed. 



And the Thyatirian Lydia, 

That by Macedonia's wave 
Met the messengers of Jesiis, 

Found the word to heal, to save. 
Strong in faith, her pious spirit 

Dedicates her all to Heaven ; 
And to house the wrongful prisoned 

Her protecting roof was given. 



30 SOEIPTURE WORTHIES. 



The well of life immortal, 

They shall unceasing share, 
"With every child of Mercy 

That gave with Christian care, 
In name, for sake of Jesus, 

The needful alms — the draught — 
If but one cup of water 

That thirsty lips may have quaffed. 



With the Marys who the Crucified 

Sought at the early tomb. 
And would with costly spicery 

The sepulchre perfume ; 
Who by the cross of Calvary, 

Deep sorrowing, lingered last, 
In soul-dissolving tenderness. 

Till his agony was past. 



And with Mary, too, of Bethany, 

That chose the better part. 
The knowledge of Christ — of his love — 

And sat at his feet in fullness of heart ; 
That hung on his lips 

Till his life-giving word 
Her spirit entranced 

Till her soul to its center was stirred. 



SCEIPTUEE WORTHIES. 31 


Mary the " highly favored," 


AVhose purely virgin breast 


The holy infant Jesus 


VV ith love and wonder pressed ; 


Mother of the humanity 


Of Christ the Lord, who came, 


Sent of the Eternal Father 


Salvation to proclaim. 


To heal the broken-hearted, 


The prisoner to release. 


■ To preach the gracious gospel 


To the poor, this Prince of Peace 


(Of the Everlasting Father), 


God's co-eternal Son, 


Of man the form and fashion 


He meekly here put on. 


That heart of hearts maternal, 


That soul received the sword, 


The spear, the ruthless weapon 


That pierced her son — our Lord — 


When earth its rocks were rended, 


And darkness veiled the skies ; 


When he atonement finished 


By vicarious sacrifice. 



32 SCEIPTTJRE WORTHIES. 



Daughter of God, blest Mary, 

By grief unique liere pressed. 
In heaven, the highest heaven, 

Her sorrows are redressed ; 
Of its store of boundless joy 

She'll forever there partake, 
With all that watched, and labored, 

And wept, for Jesus' sake. 



l^aomi, E-uth, and Huldah, 

And Anna there appear. 
Attired in kindred costume, 

Though once of varied sphere. 
Ages remote their stories 

Of earth and time divide, 
Now hand in hand they're ranging 

The fields of bliss heaven wide. 



That stricken one, E"aomi, 

And the Moabitess Ruth, 
Her tender widowed daughter. 

Whose filial love and truth 
Her heathen gods and people 

In cheerful hope resigned. 
To trust the God of Israel, 

A home and heaven to find. 



SCKIPTUEE WORTHIES. 33 



The noble, queen-like Huldcah, 

That medium of the word 
Of truth divine — of judgment — 

Of God — that deeply stirred 
That long revolted nation 

To penitence and prayer — 
A once heaven-fearing people, 

The Lord's peculiar care. 



Anna, daughter of Phanuel, 

Blest -of God and sanctified, 
One who long her home, her dwelling, 

Made his altar mere — beside 
Tarrying hopeful, watchful, waiting 

Till the promised Shiloh came ; 
Favored first to see redemption. 

First the Saviour to proclaim. 



Dorcas, and every sister 

Of sweet charity, that blessed. 
In earth's lone vales of sorrow. 

The aggrieved, the sick, the oppressed ; 
The bread that on the waters 

They cast with tender care, 
In heaven they find it garnered, 

For each a worthy share. 



34: SCRIPTUEE WOETHIES. 



The Baptist, honored messenger, 
The Mighty to proclaim, 

Ordained to preach repentance 
With mention of his name. 

The nations who will sprinkle 
Not from the tjpic flood. 

But with spirit-drops of mercy- 
Price of his precious blood. 



Here Prophecy, no greater 

Of names adorns her page 
All through the ancient era 

Of seers and of sage ; 
High and more high beatitude 

Will fill his spacious soul, 
While the cycles of eternity 

They onward, onward roll. 



Devout and ancient Simeon, 

Whose long-expectant sight 
Beheld the Lord's salvation, 

The Christ, the risen light, 
When the infant Mediator 

His eager arms had pressed, 
He craved a speedy passport 

To heaven — to life — to rest. 



BLENDING OF EARTH AND SKIES. 35 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

Jesus to favored Tabor 

A chosen few he led, 
For high commune with heaven 

He prays — its light is shed ; 
A flood of immortality 

Adorns his form — his face ; 
A cloud — Divine Shekinah — 

It sanctifies the place. 

While Moses and Elias 

In gloiy they appear, 
The habitants of heaven 

In secret counsel here 
With the Son, the well-beloved, 

Of God, the only wise ; 
E'en here the earth and earthly 

Are blending with the skies. 

Moses, the given minister 

Of the Law so perfect, pure. 
Strict, holy and unyielding, 

A tablet to endure ; 
Word of the Lord Almighty 

That may not pass away. 
Though earth, all things created, 

They perish and decay. 



36 THE O ERSHADOWING CLOUD. 



Elias, representative 

Of prophecy, whose word 
Pillars of death and darkness 

Long mightily hath stirred ; 
Whose voice of heavenly numbers 

Hath pierced so oft the gloom 
That would the soul have curtained 

As by the hopeless tomb. 



An apostolic triad 

In waiting for the hour 

When from the cross — the sepulchre- 
In resurrection power — 

The Christ, Jesus the Saviour, 
Shall their commission seal, 

The knowledge of redemption. 
To bear — to preach — reveal. 



Justice divine and mercy. 

Their envoys there appear. 
The o'ershadowing cloud of glory 

Its brightness thrills with fear 
The faithful, loved disciples. 

Though fain they'd tarry there, 
And for each a tabernacle 

Would hasten to prepare. 



-^ jl 

PEOMISED MANSIONS. 37 



Lo ! I am with you alwaj, 

Thus saith the sinner's friend, 
Lo ! I am with you alway, 

E'en until time shall end ; 
Go, break the bread of heaven, 

My flock to bless, to feed — 
Go, sow beside all waters 

Of truth the holy seed. 



Go with the gospel proffer 

Of grace, of life, of heaven. 
Proclaim my free salvation. 

They shall be saved, be shriven ; 
All, every true believer. 

Baptized in spirit here. 
In resurrection beauty. 

In glory shall appear. 



For my beloved a mansion 

In heaven I will prepare, 
And I'll come and will receive you 

To dwell forever there ; — 
I will not leave you comfortless. 

To you I soon will send 
The Holy Ghost, the Comforter, 

A long abiding friend. 



38 INFINITE LOVE OF GOD. 



The leaves, they never wither 

On heaven's life-giving tree, 
For healing of the nations 

They're sovereign and they're free ; 
Love's aroma exhaling 

To meet the soul's desire, 
The air, the breath of paradise, 

They permeate entire. 



Eternity! Eternity 

Is equal but to prove 
The length, the breadth, the fullness 

Of Grod's inherent love ! 
Himself the spring, the fountain, 

Its hight and depth is known • 
But unto him that shareth 

The Father's heavenly throne. 



For that vast, that swelling ocean, 

'No measurement is found 
To tell of its expansion — 

It hath not shore or bound. 
Oh ! love divine, the portion. 

And of ransomed ones the song. 
Thou hast the harps of heaven 

Strung: for the blood-bought throng. 



EVEELASTING TIES. 39 



In heaven our dear departed 

They watch and wait to greet 
From earth the new-fledged spirits 

That raptured fly to meet 
The welcome soul inspiring, 

Where union's lasting ties, 
The hand so dread and weighty 

Of death shall not surprise. 



Oh no ! they are not severed 

The cords so closely wound, 
The heart of pure aft'ection 

In sacred bands around. 
The plants of heavenly germ an. 

They were not set to pine. 
But in new soil transplanted 

To flourish, grow and shine. 



The flowers of passing beairty 

That love parental gave. 
All faded, crushed and blighted 

To cold, untimely grave. 
There by the living water 

Again they sweetly bloom, 
Oh in heaven ! we learn in heaven 

There's known no fearful tomb ! 



40 SWEET HOME. 



CHAPTER V. 

CHRISTIAN'S HERITAGE. 

A home, " sweet home," is heaven, 

And from its lasting store 
I^ow copious showers of manna 

Fall by the pilgrim's door ; 
Ready prepared of mercy, 

A daily rich supply 
That hungry gath'ring spirits 

May find a portion nigh. 

Heavfen is revealed a heritage, 

'Tis Christian's by bequest, 
He'll meet not there one claimant 

His title to protest ; 
'Tis fadeless, incorruptible, 

Of God had in reserve 
For all the washed, the sanctified. 

Who Christ accept and serve. 
« 
The heavenward, home-bound traveler 

Scarce heeds the stony way— 
'Tis here and there a way-mark 

Forbids his steps to stray. 
While pressing onward, upward, 

He hath by faith a share 
Of that bread of life unfailing, 

Free and abundant there. 



KAYS FROM ZION S HILL. 41 



And when his adversary 

His path would fain obscure, 
On wings of heavenly kindness 

To lead, to guide, to assure, 
Some angel-minist'ring spirit 

With speed of thought then flies 
And stays the faint and trembling 

To struggle for the prize. 



He shall not walk in darkness, 

Though sin and foes malign. 
His march for to bewilder 

Their forces all combine. 
His face is set for Zion,j 

And from that heavenly hill 
The rays are all-sufficient 

The King's highway to fill. 



He hath for shield and buckler 

A way what shall not pass ; 
'T will ward the pointed arrows, 

Yield not with steel or brass — 
'Tis Truth, the truth of heaven. 

It will his trust abide 
Until his last stern conflict 

By Jordan's swelling tide. 



42 THE SAINT S DEPARTUKE. 



And should that fearful river 

Appal his heart, his sight, 
Athwart the n earing billows 

Beams forth most cheering light 
From the shining coast of Canaan, 

That land of heavenly rest, 
"While he finds his dying pillow 

His loving Saviour's breast. 



'Tis going fast, receding, 

Earth's unpropitious shore. 
Its griefs, its frowns, its snares, 

Are Christian's now no more. 
Hark ! hark ! a gentle whisper 

By that low, passing breath : 
" I hear the harps of Heaven ; 

Can this, can this be death ! " 



Joy ! joy ! to be delivered 

From earth, from throbbing clay; 
Angels their waiting pinions 

Have spread, have borne away 
The soul, free and triumphant. 

Where no dark surge may come. 
Safe to the bower eternal — 

To God, to heaven, his home. 



A STAMP OF IMMOETALITT. 43 



A more than mortal presence 

There rests amid the gloom 
Of death's cold, darkened chamber, 

The hushed, the silent room 
Where rests our dear lamented ; 

We weep, then smile to trace 
An impress set of heaven 

On the beloved face. 



There comes sweet, sacred memories 

Of Christ, the words he spoke 
Of his most precious promises 

Which never may be broke : 
" I am the resurrection 

And life ; I'll come again — 
Will to myself receive you 

With me in heaven to reign." 



That envoy sent of mercy, 

The messenger that came. 
The saint's discharge from bondage 

To witness, to proclaim — 
The watchful, waiting prisoner, 

Of hope for to release — 
Through the abode of mourning. 

Breathed balm of heavenly peace. 



4i RAPTUROUS GREETINGS. 



Faith, her ears attuned of heaven, 

Catch the welcome notes sublime : 
Welcome home ! welcome, thrice welcome ! 

Echoed round the blissful clime ; 
"Words of love, of rapturous greeting, 

Language of that kingdom bright, — 
All but sees with sense of vision 

The departed's robe of white. 



Mantled, all bedecked, attired 

In that righteousness complete, 
Wrought of Christ, he finds it read j 

For eternal rest his seat. 
There no voice, no hand invasive, 

Shall disturb his gladsome place ; 
Not one cloud shall pass between him 

And his dear Kedeemer's face. 



There forever and forever 

May he unforbidden gaze ; 
There employ his harp all golden 

To repeat the Saviour's praise. 
Listening, learning, loving, feasting, 

At the banquet drinking free, 
Where there's room and cups o'erflowing, 

Unbeliever, waiting thee. 



there's eoom for all. 45 



Yes, for all the lost, the fallen. 

Each and every child of sin, 
There's a kingdom, crown and heaven 

For the willing soul to win. 
Armor, all-efficient weapons, . 

Tempered equal for the field. 
And the Son of God, the leader. 

His own hand thy head shall shield. 



Tarry not, fly ! seek the covert 

Of that Eock that will not fail ; 
Speed thee on, on to the mountain ! 

Dangers thick beset the vale. 
Hope, and life, and peace, and heaven, 

Every tra,veler hath found. 
Who, to seek the better country. 

Left the world's enchanted ground. 



Joy is there enhanced in heaven, 

When with undivided heart. 
Won by Holy Spirit whispers, 

Sinners penitent they part. 
Glad from every faithless refuge. 

Bringing cares and doubts and fear. 
And the seat of sovereign mercy 

With their burthens venture near. 



4:Q THE EVERLASTING GOD. 



THE EVERLASTING GOD. 

'' JSven from everlasting to everlasting thou art GodP 

Earth, with all she now may boast, 
Honor, beauty, gold, or name ; 
Though her scenes are flat'ring, gay, 
Soon must perish, pass away. 

Mammon with his gorgeous towers, 
^Nations with their pride and powers, ■ 
They must know how time can bring 
Consternation on his wing. 

Music with its wondrous charms. 
Pleasure with bewildering arms, 
Every plant and tree and flower 
Fades in her low, transient bower. 

Desolation soon shall smile 
On the ruin, funereal pile, 
Tomb of this terrestial ball, 
Wrap'd in dark oblivion's pall. 

But forever, evermore, 
Christ, the Life, the Way, the Door, 
Lives, the God of truth and grace, 
In the Holy, Holy Place. 



THE EVERLASTING GOD. 4:7 



Where he entered with his blood, 
Covenanted with our Grod, 
Once for sin atonement given — 
Off 'ring for our peace, and heaven. 

Lamb of God, He that was slain 
E'er foundation jet was lain 
Base for this the world so wide. 
He the fount of life supplied. 

Then the counsel of the skies 
Heavenly wisdom did devise 
For yet uncreated man. 
Love's most holy, glorious plan. 

To redeem and save with care 
Him who should the livery wear 
Of the high immortal coast 
When by Satan led and lost. 

God, before whose eye and throne 
Time no measurement hath shown, 
He with one unbounded view 
Looks Eternal Ages through. 

And in his omniscient sight 
Countless years are as the flight 
Of the fleeting hour, the day. 
Minute sands that will not stay. 



48 THE EVERLASTING GOD. 



Everlasting as that throne 
His salvation shall be known ; 
Earth and heavens may ]3ass away, 
But his word it never may. 

Blessed words of truth he spake 
For his owm beloved's sake : 
You a home, a mansion there, 
I am going to prepare. 

There on heaven's eternal ground, 
Where no withering blight is found, 
Death and sin have never seen 
The unfading pastures green. 

AYhere your shepherd he will keep. 
Lead his flock, his church, his sheep ; 
There beside the waters pure 
As the fount itself secure. 

Saved, and sanctified, and blest, 
'Made partakers of that rest 
That forever shall remain 
Long as God liimself shall reign. 

He who gives ns this abode 

Is the Everlasting God ; 

" Christian's " hope, and strength, and boast. 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 



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